The FDA panel has reccommended the maximum dose of acetaminophen be lowered. Currently

It's the key ingredient in Tylenol, Excedrin and a several other pain medications. According to Hy-Vee pharmacist Judy Zachariasen, those medications can cause major problems when not used as directed. "(They) can cause liver toxicity, which long term can be a serious problem. We don't see that very often."

However, the FDA says 56,000 people are sent to the emergency room each year due to acetaminophen overdose.

According to experts, most issues can be avoided by understanding your treatment options. "Recognize what you're trying to treat. If you're buying something to treat your cold, and the main problem is a runny nose; you don't need to get a cold product with four or five things in it," explains Zachariasen.

Getting consumers to understand that concept is simply a matter of education. And when they find out about certain combination medications, they can be upset. "They don't appreciate the fact they're taking separate Tylenol and then there's Tylenol in their cold medication, so we try to educate them when they come in," Zachariasen says.

That's especially important now that the panel rejected a proposal to pull those products that combine acetaminophen with other drugs. "Hopefully its enough of an awareness for patients so that they start asking their pharmacists about it, or they look on the box themselves."

While the panel rejected the proposal to remove certain over the counter meds from store shelves, it did recommend the elimination of Vicodin and Percocet, which both contain acetaminophen, because of its effect on the liver.

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